Why Drinking With Coworkers Is So Important In Japanese Work Culture
By Kay Sakamoto
In Japan, dining and drinking with your coworkers is very common, in fact it can be an unspoken requirement in some companies. Many Japanese feel that after work parties are an important way to enhance relationships. It can be useful to understand who your coworkers are, their typical mindset when they are relaxed and outside of the office.
The background of this activity may have a lot to do with the fact that lifetime employment was the standard in Japan for a long time. Establishing good relationship with your coworkers was very important as you may spend nearly forty years with them. It even had a name – nominication (coined word combining “nomu(drinking)” and “communication”).
In a typical Japanese company every aspect of the employee’s work is regulated. Everyone is seated right at the start of the day, lunch is strictly one hour from twelve noon sharp. Talking with your colleagues is considered as “shigo (private talk)” and should be kept to a minimum. Since there is not much room for establishing good or personal relationships at work, it was taken outside office where it won’t disturb their time dedicated to the company.
Bosses, “Joshi,” and senior team members ,“Senpai,” invite the team, “Buka,” or junior staff, “Kohai,” to a quick dinner or a drink (which is never quick nor just one drink). The invitation is often with good intentions, to give them a chance to talk in case they had issues at work. Even if the conversation is not interesting, most of the Buka and Kohai just deal with it as it usually means a free drink or meal at a place they could not afford on their own.
A common saying in Japan is, “if you want to work your way up the corporate ladder you have to drink”. This was how many older generation workers established relationships and considered this the normal way of doing business.
The corporate life and culture has changed a lot in the last decade or so. The work environment is more flexible and accommodates the needs of individuals according to their lifestyle and stage of life. Career changes are more common and easier. If one corporate culture is not a fit, moving on is an option and there is less emphasis on building relationships that need to last a lifetime. The majority of the younger generation who started their career in such environment with more freedom tends to spend less time with their coworkers, and focus more on their life and relationships outside work.
A lot of those who experienced the culture of dining and drinking with coworkers agree that they did benefit from the time spent. They found it easier to talk to their boss in a relaxed atmosphere outside work. Relationships with coworkers developed closer after casual talks, sharing concerns about their work or about other coworkers. Some become more than just a coworker and a friend. A lot of Japanese coworkers marry one another. How does that happen? Like many other relationships, dining brought them closer, and even luckier ones found their future partner.
The bonenkai (year end party) / shin-nenkai (new year party) season is coming up. If you never tried it, I would recommend giving some thoughts to join in. You could be pleasantly surprised how entertaining some of your colleagues (and even bosses) are once they step outside office!
Source: http://blog.gaijinpot.com/japanese-drinking-culture/
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This is an interesting culture. Basically is the bonding time with coworkers. This type of bonding will increase work efficiency and as well as harmony and respect. During the working time, the environment will be tense and not much time can be spare out. After work is the best timing for socialize.
Besides drinking, it can be some other activities like sports game (bowling, badminton, boardgame and etc. What important is the bonding created and brings benefits to every individual as well as the company.
Though I have not worked in Japanese company before, but I have heard many times about this culture of Japan where employees gather to drink after work. I have an Australia friend and he told me that it is common to have a drink with colleagues after work. Sometimes it is just 30 minutes of relaxing and share some ideas.
I think this idea is quite good, especially when the office environment is tensed with work, and there is no time to catch up. I always feel to be productive, we need to get to know our colleagues personally, and a get together after work is a good idea. In one of my previous employments, we had bowling every Friday and I find it very effective in creating a friendly environment for the employees.
But of course, if you are going to drink alcohol, please drink responsibly and follow the laws of the country.
The Koreans have a strict code of boss and subordinate, and probably the same goes for the Japanese too. I went once to a dinner hosted by client who are Koreans, not a good idea if you are not used to drinking a lot. The Malaysian team who were in Seoul, well only one guy kind of took in all the drinks and was alright, the other guys well … not the stuff of legends you would tell to impress your friends.
I have always liked Japanese culture. If there was any culture or society that is closest to an ‘enlightened society’, I would think the Japanese are almost there. Of course this is my opinion as an outsiders and this is what I see being portrayed, either it is true or they’re very good at giving such an impression to outsiders like myself.
However, the practice of drinking after work to get to know your workmates better, I am absolutely sure that is beneficial. Of course, in the Japanese culture it involves drinking, but the same method can be applied through various other activities like just having dinner together if you’re not the drinking type.
Recently, Google published a research about what makes a dynamic, productive and happy work team, a project which they name Project Aristotle to find out what makes the perfect working team. And the results? As we would have guessed… the teams that turned up the best even if they are made up of average workers (compared to a team of top achievers) are those that apply these two points 1) Equality in speech distribution, and 2) Social sensitivity. And these two points are obviously achieved with the Japanese culture of going out together for drinks, where everyone gets to talk with each other, and at the same time learn about their workmates so they may be more sensitive towards their needs and their personalities.
It truly is important to have a dynamic and happy team. As most high achieved people would say… “If your staff are happy and motivated, then your business would run by itself”
日本人做事認真、有效率，是我們常聽說的。其國家的發展蓬勃跟人民專注在事業－－工作的時候認真工作，玩樂的時候放鬆歡樂－－是息息相關的。不過，這兩種情況對一個追求心靈層次提升的人來說，有可能是兩個極端，生活上頗難達到平衡，人與人之間的距離拉遠，而且讓人有很拘謹的感覺。
工作的時候專注於工作其實是很好的，分秒必爭，可以在幾個小時內很有效率地完成很多事，不多談論其他無關重要的事，也可以避免人事的糾紛。可是當大家只著重於工作，友情也就比較難建立起來，因為大家只想把工作做好，所以無暇顧及其他的事情。
雖然說下班後可以暢飲，但在酒精的引導下，有多少個人真正可以很清醒地了解或感受到對方的心情？要瞭解一個人是需要多方面去探索和接觸，一起工作其實是更容易看到對方的性格、能力、恐懼或不足等，然後可以做適合的調整或共進退，促進友好關係的建立。
今天如果工作只允許討論工作，下班後其實大家也急著回家，或找能談心的友人去，因為時間很寶貴，工作夥伴已經共用了多半的時間，工作以外當然就是 sayonara 咯！
日本人做事認真、有效率，是我們常聽說的。其國家的發展蓬勃跟人民專注在事業－－工作的時候認真工作，玩樂的時候放鬆歡樂－－是息息相關的。然而就像世間大部分的事情一樣，這種做法一樣有利有弊。在心靈層面上，這種做法更是弊多於利。
工作的時候專注於工作其實是很好的，分秒必爭，可以在幾個小時內很有效率地完成很多事，不多談論其他無關重要的事，也可以避免人事的糾紛。可是，當大家只著重於工作，友情也就比較難建立起來，因為大家只想把工作做好，所以無暇顧及其他的事情。
雖然說下班後可以暢飲，但在酒精的引導下，有多少個人真正可以很清醒地瞭解或感受到對方？酒醒之後的空虛感是更讓人難受的。
要瞭解一個人是需要多方面去探索和接觸。比起下班後的聚會，一起工作其實是更容易看到對方的性格、能力、恐懼或不足等，然後可以做適當的調整，促進友好關係的建立。
由此可見，寓工作於娛樂應該是比較中庸的做法。把工作當成一項娛樂，從中培養自己的興趣；把同事當朋友，從中建立真正的友情。把工作和娛樂之間的分界消解，人也會活得更加愉快。再怎麼說，只要轉個念，這不失為一件實際可行的事。
This is merely just my opinion, there are many co-workers out there that has been bullied or cheated at work and a part of them will not speak up to the boss maybe it is because they are afraid that their boss doesn’t believe them or the boss might fire them for complaining.
I agree and like this idea very much is because it actually gives the co-workers to establish really good relationships with their own bosses then it is much easier for them to talk to about their problems with other co-workers or the company system. Not only that it serves as a great platform for them to speak up, the co-workers will also get to know their boss and other-workers better as in their personalities, learn to respect everyone within the company more and they won’t feel like they are in boring workplace instead they might even look forward to work as they have established such good relationships within the company.
Again, I really like this idea of workplace very much and I think everyone from around the world should follow this idea as it will make the workplace become a much more friendly place. Thank you for reading.
It has always been known in Japanese culture that drinking and dining with one’s boss or client everyday after work is necessary and compulsory. This shows that one is dedicated to their job. It was unacceptable to return home immediately after work because it showed that the person is not dedicated and lazy.
Every country has it’s culture. In Hong Kong, everyone is expected to only finish work around 9pm because business is competitive and everyone needs to out beat one another. In Nepal, the culture is to go home right after 5pm to have dinner and spend time with the family because family is priority.
Whatever the culture is, it’s all man made and therefore is neither right nor wrong. Just like each of our “reality” will differ because our karma to perceive the truth varies from person to person. In my opinion, it’s important to respect and embrace one another’s culture or “reality” so that it widens the perception of our “reality” and helps us realize and perceive the “truth” eventually.
One of my Friend told me in Japan, dining and drinking with your coworkers is very common, in fact it can be an unspoken requirement in some companies. Many Japanese feel that after work parties are an important way to enhance relationships. It can be useful to understand who your coworkers are, their typical mindset when they are relaxed and outside of the office.
The background of this activity may have a lot to do with the fact that lifetime employment was the standard in Japan for a long time. Establishi. This is a very meaningful article Rinpoche Thank you, KB
Socialising after working hours is a norm in many Asian corporate culture. Many use this opportunity to propagate personal agenda. What is unique the way Japanese did it is by recognising it as an unspoken rule to bond and enhance working relationship.
There are demerits to this culture because a lot of drinking and time away from family is involved. But if we consider the fact that the Japanese used to commonly spend a lifetime working with the same people, this bonding time is necessary; as long as exercised with self control.
I enjoy reading this article as it reminds me that it is time to have some quality bonding time with my co-workers both at office work and at dharma work. Happy new year everyone. 🙂
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article that serves as a timely reminder to me.
Humbly, bowing down,
Stella Cheang
Dear Rinpoche,
Thank you for sharing this post. It is well known that Japanese corporate culture involves drinks and after work hang outs with higher rank staffs or the boss. I used to think that maybe they just love to party. This post shed some light on me and I understand why they do it now. A good and positive working environment is crucial to the performance of the company and good relationship between the workers is a must. By having these hang outs after work, they can communicate in a more friend to friend basis which is way less stressful than boss to employee basis. This gives them chance to communicate better and at a deeper level.
This shows that communication and understanding between colleagues is crucial to produce a productive and positive work environment which will result in the growth of the particular company or organization.
Chris
Drinking for the sake of “work” is a very common practice around Asia. I do not support the idea of drinking but that is what many people say so as to them it means a way to get together since during working hours is all about work.
Seldom, they peers at work will be able to develop a close relationship if they do not hang out or have lunch together. Many times people think that only after work is a time to get to know the person better and also to share the troubles they have at work. It is amazing how some people will never be willing to share any “personal” time with their colleagues as well. However, when they have a problem, they expect all their colleagues to show care and concern for them.
But I do believe that forming relationships are very important in work life.
Personally I do not really support the idea of drinking because whether if it’s for the sake of work and maintaining good relationships or just drinking for the sake of drinking, alcohols is still bad to our health.
It’s good to learn that the Japanese values their work and colleagues relationships, because a harmonious working environment is what will help us to achieve results and accomplish our goals.
I hope in the very near future, people will have a different idea of socialising and instead of drinking, they should come up with something else that is not harmful to the human body.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this article with us. I have some working experience with Japanese and they emphasize a lot of maintaining a good working relationship and understand each other well. They will take on our problems as theirs and together with us they will work hard to achieve the goals and target. Their openness and hard-working attitude win a lot of respect and admiration from many people around the world. A good example I have seen in Japan was even the older generations are still contributing to their country or company at their own capability.
With folded hands,
kin hoe
From this article I know better the meaning behind drinking and dining together after work, it’s not something “disturb” one’s work. Work is never a work, it involves so much communication and understanding with each others. Thanks for sharing, Rinpoche.
As I had been a worker with a big Japanese establishment, I would say that this seems a standard behaviourial practice for all Japanese Working environment. One of the most important requirement is to create and established good working relationship amongst co-workers. Perhaps this had become a standard culture for all Japanese companies too! Such gathering is usually initiated by bosses or higher rankings employees with the good intentions to trash out any grievances created daily at office between superiors and general staff employees. At such gatherings, initially starting with bosses encouraging and cheering their staffs up to drink and to talk anything freely with ease concerning office work. The main show will start off with lower-ranking employees slowly letting-off their steam on their unhappy feelings on whatever grievances they have after a few glasses of the “so-called-magical drinks of longevity”. But as pre-instructed, higher-ups have to endure happilly without any display of anger, unpleasantness or wrathfullness in appearances or verbally. Such open friendly atmosphere with complete humility on the employer’s side seems effective to cure any grievances on employer/employee relationship quite efficiently, thus ending with peace of mind on both side with happiness. That’s what good Japanese work culture is all about. Thank you Rinpoche for the interesting sharing.
Dear Rinpoche
I like this article. Having experienced the business world before, it is true that socializing is very important. I have always considered myself very fortunate because I am a female, I could control the drinking invitation and quantity on that basis alone.
Much love and care
Valentina